Etiquette in the professional world is imperative. From the job search to your day-to-day life at work, etiquette is key to landing a job and maintaining it. Here are a few tips to proper etiquette in the working world.

Job Search Etiquette:

1. Writing Etiquette: Your resume and cover letter are most likely the two first impressions that the employer will get from you. Grammar, punctuation, and voice are all key elements to any job search document. By rereading and editing your work, you will be able to make sure your documents are correct and do not have typos. It is also a good idea to have another person look over your work before you send it to prospective employers.
2. Interviewing: There are many elements to interviewing. Here are a few imperative elements in which proper interviewing etiquette is important:

• Dress to Impress. Business professional is the dress code for interviews. Make sure your clothes are not wrinkled and that your hair is neatly kept. A polished look will not only show employers you are serious about your interview, but will also give you the confidence you need to ace your interview.
• Write a Thank-You. It is important to properly thank those who interview you. You can email a thank-you note, but a handwritten note goes a long way. Be sure to get the names and spellings of those who interview you, so your thank you is correct. Also, try talking to employers about something specific or complimenting them on something that you can refer to in your thank you.
• Speak Clearly and Be Specific. When answering interview questions, speak clearly and try to avoid using “like,” “um,” and other sentence fillers. Also, talk about specific examples (that relate to the question) from your previous experience, so you can better showcase your skills.

3. Be punctual. Be sure to arrive to interviews on time, as well as meet all deadlines that relate       to your job search (such as meeting the application deadline or arriving to job fairs and other       events on line). Remember, “to be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, and to be         late is not acceptable.”

Workplace Etiquette:

1. Be Professional. This is a broad point, but it is key to workplace success. Speak with coworkers and customers in a professional and respectful way. Speak to understand, not to be understood, which includes actively listening and not degrading or insulting others. Furthermore, do not raise your voice or speak about inappropriate personal topics.
2. Don’t Be That Person. Another broad point, but this means do not be the person that steals food from the office fridge, is constantly doing every other thing but work, or the person that is singing so loudly the entire office hears. These are all examples of annoying and inconsiderate workplace actions. Working should be fun, but there are some things that cross the professional line.
3. Be Productive. Even if you have finished all duties and tasks for the day, ask your supervisor if there is anything else that needs attending to. Start on projects even if they do not need to be done for a while, and do not put off until tomorrow what can be done today. Showing you are productive, especially in times where there is not much to do, will show your supervisor that you are a go-getter and hard working.
4. Limit the Use of Social Media. Unless you are a Social Media Manager, try not to be constantly on social media throughout your day on the job. This also goes for other sites that do not relate to your position. It is okay to have a break or two throughout the day and go on these sites (as long as it is okay with your supervisor), but it is best to the limit the use of social media while you are working.

While these tips just scratch the surface of job search and workplace etiquette, they are key habits to form. Etiquette is imperative to daily life, especially in the workplace. By demonstrating these tips, you will lead a better working life and it will pay off in the long run.